Top Things to Do in Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park offers one of Tanzania's most diverse activity menus in a compact setting — game drives, TANAPA-approved canoe safaris, armed ranger walking trails, and multi-day Mount Meru treks all within 30 minutes of Arusha city.
Game Drives — Ngurdoto & Momella
Morning and afternoon game drives in Arusha National Park follow loops from Ngongongare Gate past Ngurdoto Crater rim viewpoints to Momella Lakes picnic areas — giraffes, buffalo, zebras, and lake-edge birdlife on half-day or full-day circuits.
Canoe Safari on Small Momella Lake
Two-hour paddle safaris with TANAPA-approved guides bring you water-level with flamingos, pelicans, hippos at safe distance, and giraffes grazing the shoreline — among Tanzania's most unusual wildlife experiences.
Mount Meru Summit Trek
Three- to four-day ascents from Momella Gate through Miriakamba and Saddle huts to Socialist Peak (4,566 m) — armed ranger guides mandatory, with summit sunrise views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear mornings.
Walking Safaris
Forest trails including Tululusia Waterfall and Ngurdoto Crater rim walks require licensed armed ranger escort — revealing colobus monkeys, turacos, and bushbuck on foot.
Ngurdoto Crater Viewpoints
Rim pullouts reveal the "Little Ngorongoro" marshland bowl — buffalo herds and forest canopy below, with Kilimanjaro visible from select viewpoints on clear days.
Wildlife in Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park wildlife emphasises herbivores, primates, and wetland species across montane forest, grassland, and alkaline lake habitats — a different profile from predator-focused Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro Crater.
Primates
Black-and-white colobus monkeys are the park's primate highlight in montane forest. Blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and olive baboons occur across woodland zones.
Herbivores & Plains Game
Giraffes, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, bushbuck, reedbuck, and waterbuck are regularly seen. Ngurdoto Crater marshlands concentrate buffalo and antelope.
Lake & Wetland Species
Hippos occupy freshwater sections of Momella Lakes. Greater and lesser flamingos feed on alkaline shallows when algae blooms support them.
Predators
Leopards exist in forest but sightings are rare. Manage expectations — pair Arusha with Tarangire National Park or Ngorongoro for lion and leopard-focused game drives.
Continue planning Arusha National Park with Arusha National Park bird watching, Arusha National Park best time to visit, and Arusha National Park getting there, or read the main Arusha National Park destination guide.
